Wow Words

I don't have my daybook done today and really don't have time.  But I do want to share this.

Everything I've been doing today has been in a hurry, and even though it has been a good morning, I can't get over feeling rushed.

There are just a couple of minutes now to spare before I pick up Izzy from Bible Drill practice and I clicked onto the computer to check emails and read my friends' Tuesday daybooks.  I can close my eyes and imagine them running their households by their words and I feel some much needed adult company.  Weird, I know.

While I was very quickly scanning, my friend Jennifer's words to ponder caught my eye and made me pause and take a deep breath.  This is them.

Words that I am pondering ... I'll just keep last week's words ... they bear repeating, I think.

"Does my life exhibit enough hope for someone to ask the reason for it? Maybe worse than not having a good answer is the possibility that no one even notices enough difference in my life to ask me about it." (See 1 Peter 3:15)

Wow.  I remember thinking Wow to them last week when I read them, but then they got caught in the clutter of my mind and forgotten.

Not this week.  Not again.  They are now hanging, along with another of my favorite, on the front door leading outside my home into the world.

Dear Father . . .

The Solid Rock

We went to the beach this past Friday.  Below are a few pictures of He's Too Good To Me showing Max how to build a sandcastle.

 

At first, Max didn't want to learn.  He just wanted to fill the bucket with some sand and turn it over - but when it didn't create a mound he was angry and frustrated.  After a little bit of reasoning, his daddy convinced him to try it his way.  Soon Max knew exactly what to do and how to do it.

Then the stick entered the story.  It was an impressive stick to the mind of my three year old and he instantly stuck it into the top of one of his sandhouses.  Of course, the sandhouse crumbled.

Sometimes when I read my Bible I find myself guilty of interrupting verses to fit my wants - if I place certain emphasis on a word or phrase here or there I can pretty much mold it into the words I want to hear - not the words God wrote for me.  So, lately I have started rereading the same verses in The Message version of the bible.  It is blunt and straightforward and I can't twist my interpretation into God's Word.  It is the Word in the form of a rock that hits me upside the head when I need hitting upside the head. Which is often, quite often. 

Such as this,

"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach.  When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."  Matthew 7:26-27

God has always been plain and forthcoming with His Word, but the use of today's language gives me no wiggle room in understanding exactly what He wants me to understand - and apply to my life.

Most of us have heard the story and sang the children's song, The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock.  Today I challenge you to sit down and sing it with your child.  If you don't know it, then learn it. 





Now let's question ourselves about how much we read and discuss while studying the Bible but then fail to apply to our lives.  Stupid, that's a serious word, but it is what we are when we walk that path of rebellion. 

Read Matthew 7:24-29 of God's Holy Word and commit or rededicate yourself to a life foundation built upon the rock.  The rock who is Christ Jesus Himself.  He is the wise path.  He is the only path to eternal salvation and a life that cannot collapse into an eternity of seperation from Him.

An acceptance of Jesus and God' Word - translated into any language or modern wording, with nothing added to or taken away from - is all one needs to build a foundation that is unshakeable by this world and all the sticks that can poke at us. 

And the best part of all - He's the master of second chances.  You get to rebuild your house as many times as you need to get it right.

Now that's impressive. At the conclusion of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7, the crowd . . .

". . . burst into applause.  This was the best teaching they had ever heard." Matthew 7:28

I watched Max and realized the lesson of poking that stick into his weak sandcastle was just one of the many lessons he has ahead of him.  I then whispered another little prayer, one of the many ahead of me.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
"The Solid Rock" by Edward Mote

My Dear Friends

I'm beginning to get a little of that overwhelmed panicky feeling that I get when I'm behind in more stuff than I'm accomplishing.

That said, my dear friend Sandra said to me this afternoon,

You know it's all gonna work out, don't you?

I do now, dear friend Sandra.  Thank you and love you.  You are no longer just S.

I have another dear friend - who, along with Sandra, seems to "get me" -  that will be having a hard day today.  Sweet slowly turned to bittersweet and is now sour. 

Remember, I'll pick the bugs or help you hide.  Whichever you need.  Love you.

What the Word? Wednesday

Is it Wednesday again, already?  My, how time flies.  It was just Wednesday yesterday, I think.

Welcome back to What the Word? Wednesday.

This is a good one.  Maxster doesn't like what?





I wish you luck, you're gonna need it.  Not sure what the Sunkist bottle means.  Don't read anything into it.

Post all guesses and check back here tomorrow.  And a great humpday to all.

Both of my sisters got it right, but I have to admit there was a little family unfairness going on there.  I love my sisters, I hope you love yours if you have one.  There's nothing like a sister.

I don't like chicken enchiladas.

What's new, Maxster, there's hardly any food you do like.

Thanks for playing, see 'ya next week.

Tuesdays Daybook

Happy Bithday to Will.  Will takes care of all the younger boys while we have our Keepers at Home meetings.  This is a picture of him getting the legos ready for them.  A wonderful young man who makes his parents, of Mississippi Mama, proud.  We love him lots - Max would probably call Will one of his best friends.  Thank you, Will, for loving Max.  Happy Birthday to you.

Outside my window...
it is dark and rainy. Ucky, nasty, gross.  Dear Lord, thank you for this weather.

 I am thinking...

who in my house sheds so much?  Just keeping it real.

I am thankful for...

Shelby, who hates to clean a bathroom, but is too dear to say so.

From the learning rooms...

nothing today.  We are cleaning - it's HomeEc.  We will be reading some Seabird in the car back and forth.

From the kitchen...

nothing, and no plans for tonight yet.

I am creating...

piles of laundry.  Just keeping it real again.

I am going...

the usual, piano, followed by a long overdue hair appointment.

I am reading...

all of my Vacation Bible School literature.  Along with my friend, Sandra, we direct or church's VBS so there is much to study up on and plan.  This will probably occupy all of my reading time (like there ever was any) from now until mid June.

I am hoping...

for lots of Yeses when I call people about helping in VBS.

I am hearing...

Max looking for a screwdriver, Shelby looking for a wrench, Izzy at the toaster, Delia fixing a drink. Water running inside and out.

 Around the house...

we will be going out of town on Thursday evening.  If you remember this post, My House is Dirty and, "What if?", you know I will be struggling to clean all week.  Shelby and I set an early alarm and she is helping me on her off morning. Like I said, she is a dear.  Now, if I can just stay alive . . .

One of my favorite things...
knowing I'm going out of town for the weekend.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

 Keepers on Wednesday, we will be working on string art projects.  Thursday is a VBS staff meeting, musical practice, doctor's appointment, and leaving for the coast field trip.  Friday is playing on the beach and touring the marine center with our co-op class.

Schoolwork - what's that?  Oh, that. We will be doing it during the three hour drive there and back.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing:

Isabela with her diorama on Hotel for Dogs.  The book, not the movie.  She and her little creative mind did a fine job.  It is on display with the rest of her Book-It pal's dioramas at our local library.

Thanks to Peggy @ http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

I Remember What It's Like . . .

I Remember what it's like . . .

to be young and in love.

to think it can't get any better than this.

to think this is the worst thing that can ever happen.

to be eighteen and want to be twenty-five.

to have my mind wander everytime I looked at a textbook.

to be scared.

to be ten and want to be thirteen.

to want to play and play and play.

to be unsure but afraid to do anything about it.

to look at houses and dream.

to not get it, and think I never will - whether or weather, x = ?, twenty letter words, etc.

to doubt.

to know everything.

to realize I know nothing.

to not know which road to take.

to feel stupid.

to feel on top of the world.

to feel invincible.

I remember what it's like to be twenty, or eighteen, or ten.

My darlins' - it's not much different than now.

Mama said there'd be days like this. 

Lipstick

My boy is sweet - and honest.

While dressing him this morning we had this conversation.

Mama, wha tha on loo lis?  (what's that on your lips?)

Lipstick.

I don ike tha.  ( I don't like that.)

You don't like my lipstick?

No, I don ike tha.

You don't like mama's lips?

No. Bu I lou loo face.

Oh son, you are more than sweet. 

He's Too Good To Me's got some competition for the #1 place in my heart.

What the Word? Wednesday

What the Word? Wednesday. 
What the Word? Wednesday. 
What the Word? Wednesday.

Three is a good luck number, it's also his age, so Maxster says his word three times for you. 

Won't help.  You are all doomed this week. 

Ignore all the going to Borders talk and stick to the first word, which he says three times.

Won't help.





Post all guesses and check back here tomorrow for the answer.

Max, What's That Word?

Disgusting.  Disgusting.  Disgusting. 

When I first heard this word I never figured it out.  Izzy was getting him to say it and she had to tell me what it was.  It sounds like he has a mouth full of something.

I knew it was hard, but y'all were getting too good for me. 

Thanks for playing, I'll try to take it easy on you next week.  Or, maybe I'll give you the one he said today that I didn't think we would ever figure out.

Can you show me, Max?  Can you eat it?  Do you play with it?  Etc.

Tuesday's Daybook

A Happy Birthday to our friend, James.  We Love You!

Outside my window...
it is cold and has just stopped raining. 

I am thinking...

that I am tired of the cold and rain.

I am thankful for...

good friends I can call at ten o'clock in the evening for a bucket of wheat because of bad planning on my part - and they don't mind.

From the learning rooms...

we are studying Cephalopods this week in Apologia's Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day.  They are a variety of amazing creatures that can have three hearts that pump blue blood, can make their own ink, and can be powered by jet propulsion.

From the kitchen...

Bread bowls (here) and beef stroganoff for Men's Bible Study tonight.  Side by side in the kitchen with my Shelby - one of my favorite places to be.

I am creating...

I do not like to make lists.  I have fought the fact for years now that I should make lists.  Makes me feel old and incapable to have to write things down.  I know it's silly, lists are so much more than a memory issue, but it is one of my many neurosis'.  I do like to write and doodle, and the idea of pasting makes me feel young, so starting this week I am trying this idea from Ann at Holy Experience.  I really am more of the used envelope kind of gal, but if this can become a habit I know I will enjoy it.  Twenty-one days, that's all it takes.  Today is day two.  Wish me luck. 

I am going...
no where today.  He's Too Good To Me accidently left with the carseat this morning.  I'm cancelling piano and a doctor's appointment for today.  Actually, I'm pretty grateful for this little mess-up, I have three batches of bread to make.

I am reading...

Green by Ted Dekker

I am hoping...

it's unspoken this week, but I'm really hoping.

I am hearing...
Calliou on the TV, the bread machine, Delia and Shelby getting ready to leave for the day, and Izzy practicing the piano.

Around the house...

the sweet music of above.

One of my favorite things...

friends who think of me and call to see if I need an old pair of cleats for Izzy - which I do.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

we will continue to work on Izzy's quilted wall hanging, we have Book-It on Wednesday, and co-op on Friday.  Housework this week is a must. 

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing:

Izzy won an attendance competition at our church Friday night during a magic show featuring the great Scott Humston.  She won this T-shirt -

On the front it says Don't Touch the Candy Cane! . . .

and on the back it says You Don't Know Where It's Been! OBEDIENCE . . . it's still hip! www. SCOTTHUMSTON.com

He did an adorable puppet show presentation on obedience.  Check him out.

Thanks to Peggy @ http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Should Have Already Done This . . .

This is something I should have posted forty-three days ago.  I let everything else (and a little illness) get ahead of showing you pictures of the beautiful birthday cake Shelby made for her and Max's birthday in January.

Lateness is a pet peeve of mine.  I'm late occassionally, but I try to be on time.  But I messed up here.  Apologies to my two lovies - and I must say, what a beautiful cake you made, Shelby.

I'm going to show you the inside first, 'cause it is my favorite part.

Yep, she's talented.  Trust me, they taste as good as they look.  Homemade buttercream icing, yum.

We needed a rainbow cake that night.  Mom planned our second annual scavenger hunt (check out last year's here) and it rained all evening.  We don't actually hunt things, she gives us a list of places we must go and things we must do and we bring back a photo of us doing it.  Even though it was wet and cold, she didn't let us off the hook, we had to scavenge anyway.

 



















They are not really eighteen and three.  This is a dream and tomorrow I will wake with babes in my arms.

Or so I would like to think . . .